Smooth....

Primo on the beat and Rakim with the fresh flow.

Rakim - When I Be On The Mic (prod. DJ Premier) 

As a Bonus here's another Primo track with AZ, one of the all time greats, spittin. His flow reminds me of Rakim's in "When I Be On the Mic"


AZ - The Come Up (prod. DJ Premier) 

Beatles Cover: Jack Johnson - Rocky Raccoon

Chill Track of the Day: SoulChef - Just Do It

I don't know much about this guy. EXCEPT that he is a musician from Auckland, New Zealand who produces jazz infused hip-hop. I have so much love for Auckland AND am a huge fan of soulful hip-hop and jazz-hip-hop.




PS: If you like Jazz hip-hop I definitely recommend checking out the Roots album "Do You Want More?" (1995)

Bonus Track: The Roots - Do You Want More?!!!!??! (Title Track)

Great Music Videos: "Heard Em Say" - Kanye West

Kanye West - "Heard Em Say" 


I can't think of more appropriate song title to describe Kanye's career. Kanye West has an interesting relationship with the public to say the least. Always outspoken and brutally honest, Kanye has made many declarations on live TV that have defined his independence as an artist while also ostracizing himself. Meanwhile, Kanye has Heard 'Em Say a lot too. As portrayed in his song "Everything I am", Kanye has a lot of critics... "People talk so much shit about me at barbershops, they forget to get their haircut." His eccentric personality can be the source of his creativity, but like most geniuses, is also his biggest downfall. I think sometimes Kanye is under the impression that his work needs to be displayed in the Louvre for him to make an impact. The video "Heard Em Say" proves that what he is great for is his simplicity. What this song is not, is a critically acclaimed work of modern art; What it is, is a critically acclaimed work of hip-hop.
  
What I find most interesting about this video is that the song itself is colorful and conveys a powerful message. It effectively fills a black and white video with color and makes less serious cartoon caricatures represent very real issues.

Jam of the Day: Lil Wayne - "Sports Center"

One of my favorite tracks off of (what is in my opinion) one of Lil Wayne's best projects, Dedication 2. The track is called "Sports Center" and is made out of samples from ESPN's popular sports news program of the same name. If you listen closely you can hear sound clips from: basketball, tennis, crowd noises, players voices', etc, which make up the beat.




"Waited on my turn to burn, can I get a light?/
Lil Dog, bigger bite; Jackson 5, lil Mike/
Can I get a mic or a mic and a half?/
That's 'Source' homie, shout out to the editing staff/


I'm all grown, so much better with math/
I need a spread in Forbes' taking a Benjamin bath/
I'm serving this track like Steph Graff/
Roger Federer, there are no competitors..." 

It's Got to Be... Kweli

Artist Spotlight: Aloe Blacc

I just learned about this guy today, but apparently he has been around since 1995. I first heard him on this song by a guy named Mr. Brady...

Real chill song right here, held down by a nice underground style hip-hop beat. Aloe Blacc raps on this one, but is actually a soul and R&B singer from Orange County, California. He came out with his debut solo album in 2006 titled "Shine Through". Here are a tracks off of this album, both recorded live in studio.

Aloe Blacc - I Need a Dollar




Aloe Blacc - Your Love is Killing Me




References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_Blacc

Who the F*ck Is Main Flow???

Although many avid hip-hop fans may have never heard of him, Main Flow is one of the most talented MC's out of the Midwest. Hailing from Cincinnati, Flow is in the hip-hop group Mood, along with fellow MC Donte and producer Jahson. Hip-hop legends such as Black Thought and Talib Kweli have recognized Main Flow's talent, however, and appeared on a few tracks off of Flow's 2004 album "Hip Hopulation."



Main Flow also released a collaboration album with Boston-based DJ/producer 7L titled "Flow Season" in 2006.